Meet the Candidates!

One month from today, District 4 will host the 2017 Spring Conference, featuring engaging educational sessions, thrilling speech contests, and perhaps most exciting…. the District Business Meeting! Please join us to hear the latest news on District initiatives and performance, and vote on critical District business. Your club has a voice in our community! Each Club President and VPE carries a vote at the Business Meeting, which is FREE to attend. (Although, we hope you’ll feel inspired to attend the full Conference! Find registration options here.) If these officers can’t make it, they can exercise their right to vote by designating another member as proxy.

What’s on the ballot:

2017-2018 Alignment. Each year, some clubs will close and many new clubs will open. The alignment process has no effect on clubs’ day-to-day operations, but rebalances the Areas and Divisions to position them for success in the new term. Please review the proposed 2017-2018 alignment here: D4TM_Proposed_Alignment_2017_2018

This proposal has been reviewed and approved by the District Executive Council. Please keep in mind we will still need to make changes due to clubs gained or lost between now and June 30.

Leadership Elections! At Spring Conference, members elect the leaders who will serve District 4 in the upcoming 2017-2018 term. Please read on to learn more about this year’s candidates, in their own words! The following Toastmasters have been vetted and approved by the District 4 Leadership Committee. Each of these individuals has proven their dedication to District 4, and I’m overjoyed they have chosen to continue their leadership journey! After three years in elected leadership myself, it’s my honor to pass the torch to the new team. #AlwaysInMotion

Noemi Gonzalez, ACB, ALSCandidate for District Director, 2017-2018

I just completed my fifth Toastmasters anniversary! I’ve been reflecting on how that event influenced the direction of my journey, and how the lovely and complex people who entered my life since then have impacted my development. These are the Toastmasters who said “yes” when I reached out for support, who challenged me to think outside the box, and who dared me to try harder than before.

I am more resilient and fulfilled because of District 4’s community, and because I said yes when asked to step into leadership. From sporadic roles (participating at a club or district event) to continued commitment (being Club Officer, and being Area, Division, Club Growth and Program Quality Director), each of these steps, with their unique challenges and joys, have yielded huge moments of self-discovery. As I promote my candidacy for District 4 Director, I ask:

For your vote on May 20, 2017

Join the rest of the candidates and me. Take a leadership role, be intentional about your own transformation. You’ll strengthen your voice, hone your leadership style and support the community that supports us, paying it forward.

Stefanie Chow, DTMCandidate for Program Quality Director, 2017-2018

My passion for the events industry stems from the gratification of seeing people connect and become better versions of themselves together. This is why I’ve chosen a career in planning and consulting events, and this is why I find value in the Toastmasters leadership track. Being able to provide new and exciting opportunities to the members of our District 4 community is what fuels my decision to run for Program Quality Director.

This coming year brings many changes, which means more areas for growth. Toastmasters International will gradually replace the current education program with Pathways and eliminate Fall Conferences in 2018. Whether you fear or welcome what’s next, let’s work to unite these different perspectives under why we’re here in the first place — to build our communication and leadership skills and establish meaningful connections with others.

Orlando Redden, ACB, ALBCandidate for Club Growth Director, 2017-2018

The way I see growth is from experiencing life, self reflection, feedback, helping and connecting with others. That’s what Toastmasters allows us to do. As Growth Director I plan on sharing my passion, and experience and encouraging others to do the same. By doing so, I know District will grow in numbers and strength. We all have the fire inside of us to become the best we can. Sometimes we just need to be around people that will feed that fire to achieve our dreams and become the person we dream about becoming.

Karsten Manske, CC, ALBCandidate for Division A Director, 2017-2018

I am a Toastmaster since 2013. Only a few months after becoming a member I was taking on a club officer role. After being an officer ever since then I can assure, Toastmasters is where leaders are made. Becoming a club officer is like moving from the back of the car into the driver seat. You decide where and how fast to go. It is up to you to avoid collisions. Communication is the key!

In 2016/2017 I became Area director and was experiencing successes and problems of multiple clubs. It is a different experience then sitting directly in the driver seat. I could send little hints, but no direct commands. The better the hints are communicated the more likely they are going to be commands. As Division leader, I am looking forward to the opportunities to help building new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.

Xiaoyu Liu, CLCandidate for Division B Director, 2017-2018

I joined Toastmasters 4 years ago as a new employee on my first job. From taking light leadership roles in each club meeting, to serving as club VPE, President and Area B5 director now, and my leadership grew step by step, and I did not anticipate where I am when I first joined. Each role was great challenge at the time and it was rewarding experience. Through years of practice, my real experience demonstrates that leadership can be learned by doing it. I wish I could be a role model influence more members practicing leadership, stepping outside comfort zone.

I am excited to be your candidate of Division B year in the coming Toastmaster term. My goal is to achieve Distinguished Division by motivating and inspiring Area directors to lead their clubs success and bridge areas and clubs by promoting club visit programs.

Nur Beg, CC, ALB Candidate for Division E Director, 2017-2018

As a Division Director I am excited to be a support for the Area Directors and the clubs therein. I am ready to support the District 4-Division E based upon my experience this year as an Area Director where I have effectively worked with the club members, especially the club presidents to help them with their own needs as well as their club’s needs . My plan is to help all Area Directors and clubs for the 2017-2018 year excel, be proud of themselves for their accomplishments and, of course, be President’s Distinguished!

Aubrey Carrier joined Toastmasters in January 2011 on a dare. Though she expected to leave after a few months, Toastmasters sparked her lifelong love of learning and she’s now been with the program five years and counting! Participating in Toastmasters has opened up opportunities Aubrey never imagined, ranging from team leadership and large-scale event-planning, to re-enacting urban wildlife encounters and pretending to be a cabaret singer (not at the same time). After serving in multiple club officer roles, she was inspired to get into District leadership to achieve immunity from competing in speech contests.
As District Director, Aubrey guides the District Leadership Team to motivate, support and inspire the members in our District, toward the goal of providing a welcoming environment for all members to achieve personal and professional development goals – and have fun doing it! As a diverse and talented membership, our many voices make up one strong community!
Outside of all things Toastmasters, Aubrey spends her time walking up and down hills and perfecting her applause techniques at various live theater performances around the Bay Area.